Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Venue in Edgewater at 1500 West Winona Street.
Music venue in West Town at 1749 West Chicago Avenue.
Classy and energetic River North jazz club with excellent drinks paired with blistering, fast-paced traditional and modern Chicago jazz performances. A full dinner menu complements nightly shows.
Bucktown's wildcard cocktail lounge pairs craft-forward drinks with 11 axe-throwing lanes and 4 rage rooms inside a moody, industrial-chic space. Once you've worked out the aggression, settle into the DJ-fueled nightlife side with dim lighting and layered textures that make this spot unlike anything else on the strip.
The Anita Dee II takes you out on Lake Michigan for a nightlife experience you can't get on land. Private yacht cruises with skyline views, open bars, and DJ sets make this one of Chicago's most memorable ways to spend an evening on the water.
Departing from DuSable Harbor in the Loop, the Anita Dee II is a premium three-level yacht with breathtaking skyline views. Whether it's a party cruise or a private event, the city looks different from the water.
Anita Dee Yacht Charters offers an exclusive, opulent escape on Chicago’s Lake Michigan, featuring sleek vessels that glide past the city’s iconic skyline under the glow of twinkling lights. This top caters to discerning guests with bespoke luxury experiences, making it a favored destination for high-profile nightlife seekers.
Weekend-only nightclub in Wicker Park spinning EDM, house, and Top 40. Open till 5 a.m. with a relaxed dress code and reasonable table service — a solid alternative to the River North club scene.
Lakeview's Annoyance Theatre has been a legendary force in Chicago comedy and improv, launching careers and hosting original shows that push every boundary. The full bar helps — you'll need a drink after laughing that hard.
Andersonville's rustic Italian BYOB changes its menu weekly based on what the farms are growing -- it's seasonal cooking at its most honest. The intimate dining room and bring-your-own-bottle policy make it one of the best date nights on the North Side.
3.9 stars, 1,000 reviews. Nice staff, best corn beef sandwiches in Chicago. South Side staple.
Venue in Pilsen at 2875 West Cermak Road.
The Apollo Theater Chicago in Lincoln Park offers a lively nightlife experience with its historic charm and dynamic performances, blending classic elegance with modern energy. Known for its eclectic lineup of live music, comedy, and theatrical acts, it’s a worth visiting destination for Chicago’s arts and entertainment scene.
Bar in Matteson at 500 Holiday Plaza Drive.
Uptown's Aragon Ballroom has been hosting major music events since 1926 in a nearly 5,000-capacity room with jaw-dropping Moorish-inspired architecture. The ornate details make even a general admission show feel grand.
Arbella in River North is your after-hours playground—globally inspired cocktails and small plates that keep the kitchen humming until 3am on Saturdays, because sometimes dinner isn't the main event. The moody, sophisticated space shifts effortlessly from early evening dining into full-throttle nightlife mode, drawing serious drinkers and late-night food enthusiasts who know the difference between a cocktail bar and a *cocktail bar*.
A legendary rock-and-roll concert venue in the heart of downtown St. Charles. The Arcada Theatre blends live music, dining, and craft cocktails in a beautifully restored historic theater. Part of the Onesti Shows family of venues, it hosts national touring acts across rock, country, comedy, and classic hits — with intimate sight lines that make every seat feel front row.
Retro bowling alley and billiards lounge on the Oak Lawn/Evergreen Park border. Late-night bowling with DJ sets. Classic sports pub fare, custom pizzas, wings. Playful, social, rowdy.
Chicago's largest theater, seating 4,249 guests in Lakeside Center at McCormick Place — just 2.5 miles south of the Loop. The Arie Crown hosts major national touring Broadway shows, concerts, and headline entertainment acts. With state-of-the-art facilities, superb acoustics, and convenient lakeside access, it remains the top large-capacity venue on Chicago's South Side.
A dimly lit English pub in Lincoln Park from the Hogsalt team — London circa 1926 with pineapple lamps, flickering fireplaces, antique paintings, rotating pot pies, wagyu burgers, truffle pasta, and bar snacks.
Upscale Argentinian steakhouse and tango bar in Lincoln Square. Live flamenco and tango shows, fine wines, ceviche, empanadas, and world-class steaks. Passionate, romantic, sophisticated. Live piano jazz weekly.
Venue in Lincoln Park at 1400 North Halsted Street.
A neighborhood bar on Cottage Grove Avenue in Avalon Park, offering a local gathering place with daily hours until 2 AM.
The Art Institute of Chicago, located in the heart of the Loop, offers a lively cultural experience with its renowned collections and occasional late-night events. While primarily a museum, it sits near Chicago's lively nightlife scene, making it a unique blend of art and urban energy.